I’m so glad to welcome another writer from WordGals, which was founded by Kathy Carlton Willis. One of Kathy’s “WordGals” is Joanie Shawhan and she is an ovarian cancer survivor. Isn’t that wonderful? So, welcome, Joanie, and thank you for blessing us with your story and some very important information. Read on, gals!

Cancer: A Word that Strikes Terror

by Joanie Shawhan

Are there certain words that trigger pressure in your chest or tightness in your throat?

For me, that word is cancer.

I am an ovarian cancer survivor.

During the summer of 2006, every time I had another bout of nausea, I brushed thoughts of ovarian cancer from my mind. Surely these spells were too infrequent to be cancer.

But in September, I rolled over in bed and felt a grapefruit-size mass in my abdomen. I closed my eyes and dismissed the whispers of ovarian cancer.

Several weeks later, I almost shot off the table when my physical therapist palpated my spine to isolate the location of my back pain. “It’s not in my back, it’s jabbing through my abdomen!”

My gynecologist suspected a uterine fibroid and ordered an ultrasound. Even in the dark room, I saw the ultrasound tech lock her eyes on mine. Something is seriously wrong.

Gripping the ultrasound report in her hand, my doctor said, “You have ovarian cancer, the size of a cantaloupe.” She rattled off all that needed done—scheduling tests and surgery. I barely heard her words. Is she talking to me?

When I walked into the hospital on surgery day, I exchanged my scrubs and nurse shoes for tieback gowns and skid-free slipper socks. The surgeon removed a volleyball-size tumor—ovarian cancer.

Today, I am cancer-free. I lost myself to ovarian cancer but found a new purpose and calling. TWEET THAT!

Today I have an encouragement ministry to women undergoing chemotherapy. I advocate for and educate women and healthcare professionals regarding ovarian cancer. I write articles so that other women won’t put off getting checked out if they have any signs or symptoms, like I did.

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of all female cancers. The symptoms women experience prior to diagnosis may be vague or similar to other diseases. This causes some doctors to rule out other causes before they discover ovarian cancer, which is why it is often not diagnosed until later stages.

Contact your doctor if the following symptoms of ovarian cancer persist:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms: Bloating, indigestion, nausea, feeling full or loss of appetite
• Pelvic or low back pressure or pain
• Urinating more frequently
• Changes in bowel patterns
• Tired or low energy

Ovarian cancer used to be called the silent killer, but survival rates are high if discovered in the early stages. Learn from my story. Will you listen for the whispers of ovarian cancer?

Thank you, Joanie, for sharing with us. And we rejoice with you in your healing and how God is using you to minister to others.

If you’ve battled ovarian cancer or any other kind of cancer, please share here in the comment box below about your experience. Or maybe you know of someone and you’d like to share their story. We all can be encouraged and also learn from each other.

About the Author:
Joanie Shawhan is an ovarian cancer survivor and a registered nurse. She writes encouraging articles for women undergoing chemotherapy. Her publishing credits include Coping with Cancer magazine and God Still Meets Needs. She speaks to medical practitioners in the Survivors Teaching Students program. Check out her blog at www.joanieshawhan.com.